Sunday, March 24, 2013

Book Blog Tour: Firefly by Belle Whittington / Guest Post + Easter Egg Hunt + Giveaways!

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 Presenting...


Firefly by Belle Whittington Book Blog Tour 

hosted by: 


Ooooh my goodness! Do I have a treat for you all today. I am SO super excited to be a part of this book tour for Author Belle Whittington's new book Firefly! You have GOT to read this series!

So today is my stop on the tour and here is what will be going on:

  • A fun and unique guest post written by the author
  • The opportunity to learn more about Firefly and where to purchase it.
  • A SUPER FUN Easter Egg hunt here on my blog to win signed copies of Belle's books AND a huge prize pack of goodies.
  • Another giveaway!!

Let's first start out with sharing more about the book, Firefly!



Firefly (Cicada, #2)
Firefly (Cicada #2) by Belle Whittington
Published: February 2nd 2013
Pages: 508
Genre: Romance science fiction




“The darkest days are ahead of us,” Andrew whispered as the drape of shadows slipped away, allowing Blair to awaken. And in her heart of hearts she knew it was true. The unmistakable signs were all around her, growing within her. She was becoming something more than human. All she could do was accept the inevitable. 

“I’ve become a freak … an alien. I no longer belong to the human world,” Blair told her true love, and he held her close, determined never to give her up.

“I’d stay in this darkness forever as long as I could be with you. Wherever you are … that’s my home.” Everett meant every word. In fact, he’d willingly give up his own life to protect the girl he’d always loved.

But there was a storm brewing … a firestorm so strong and catastrophic that it could keep them apart forever.

That storm roared into town wearing a brown leather bomber jacket and riding a motorcycle.

Ash was like a secret in human clothing … a dangerous secret. Everything about him was mesmerizing – right down to the swirls of ink that flowed over the smooth muscles across his chest and around his arms. Being with him was like playing with fire.

Blair knew all about playing with fire.

She knew something else, too. A small quiet voice deep within whispered that she really would be separated from everyone and everything she’d known and loved.

Because some secrets run too deep.


Purchase Firefly:  Paperback:  Amazon | CreateSpace  /  E-book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Check out BOOK #1, Cicada [ HERE ]


Many warm thanks to lovely Beckie for having me over to this gorgeous blog for a cup of java and a chat!  I’m really excited about getting to know you all and hope you’ll enjoy learning a little bit about me.

I thought I’d share a little bit about my wild and crazy world of writing.  I took a six week break from writing after I typed the last sentence of Firefly.   It’s not that I wasn’t ready to dive right into my next book, it’s just that I needed to be present in reality for a bit.  You see … before I can begin a story, I’ve got to drive headlong into a big ole daydream.  And until the book is finished, I remain in that daydream.  It’s sort of like existing in an alternate reality, living half-in-half-out of another world.

What helps me to get settled into that daydream?  Well, probably the biggest mood-setter is music.  I’m sure that I”m way behind the times, but I’ve recently discovered Spotify.  It’s like magic!  I can download the music from Spotify to my iPod Touch, which has been really helpful to me.  Until I’ve gotten all my inspiration play lists added to Spotify, my readers can check them out on my YouTube channel.  Here are the links:


Another thing I think readers might like to know is that I have a favorite song that fits the mood for each one of the books in the trilogy! Want to hear the unofficial theme song to each book? Here goes!

And it must not go without giving many thanks to the awesome musicians whose songs have given me so much inspiration.  I’m so thankful to them for sharing their magic.


 Once I’ve gotten the mood set and the daydreams sorted out and in order, then it’s time to write.  Since I have a day job, I have to set my writing aside during those hours I’m away from home.  However, even if I’ve physically set it aside, I’m still living half-in-half-out of my story.  I’m an avid daydreamer, you see, so I really can’t help it.  And it’s actually the way I write when I’m not able to put the story down into words.  I spin the tales in my mind while going about my daily routine at work.  But once I get home, it’s on like Donkey Kong!

Once I’m at home, I snuggle into my favorite corner of the sofa and get ready to put all those daydreams into words.  What are the necessary items for me to have in my reading spot?  For starters, I simply must have the soft cotton throw my mother gave me.  A drink must always be close at hand, and I usually have my notebook and a copy of Cicada so I can flip back to past scenes in order to keep continuity in the story.  Of course, I need my glasses handy so I can see all those tiny letters on the laptop screen. LOL! 



Sometimes on the weekend, I like sitting at the dining table so I can gaze out of the window into the backyard and the spooky little forest beyond the back fence.  
From this seat at the table, I can see the deep creek that snakes through the vine-ridden trees and watch as butterflies flutter high up into the shady canopy above.  Often, on summer nights, fireflies light up that spooky little forest with thousands of sparkles in the darkness, and I think of Blair and Everett and imagine what they are doing at that very moment.




Something told me that you’d like to see a part of that spooky little forest behind my house.  Here’s a glimpse.  Occasionally, there are birds perched on the vines.  But I think I scared them away when I took this photo.

However, in case you are wondering, this isn’t my inspiration for the place Blair calls “the haunted forest.”  That little forest actually exists, but it’s just down the road.  I pass it on my way to town.

Brrrr! It’s chilly out here!  Let’s head back into the house for some hot chocolate.


Uh oh!  Looks like I’m busted!  Yes, it’s true.  I often pop over to Facebook while I’m writing.  It’s a bad habit, I know.  But I try to only take a peek when I need a break or between chapters.  You believe me, right? ;-)

By the way, have you liked me on Facebook?  I’d love for you to stop by and join in the fun!  Comments and questions are always welcome, and I always respond.  Besides, I frequently have contests, so check it out! 

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  It’s so nice to meet each and everyone one of you.  I’ve got the best readers in the world.



About The Author: Belle Whittington

Find Belle @ Website |  Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook


Belle resides somewhere north of Houston, Texas in a small inconsequential town with the smallest most inconsequential name. There, in the shady reaches of the pines, elms, and oaks, she daydreams of adventures and secrets that she weaves throughout her stories. 
Having studied literature at University of Houston, Belle has been known to consider teaching at the college level someday.



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Participating blogs can be found here.
They will also be recognizable because they have the following image posted in their blog:

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My Blog, Bittersweet Enchantment is joining in. You can find (5) eggs HERE. All eggs are found on the PAGES above (ex. About Me, or Current Giveaways) OR can be found using a secret hint. If you have any questions please shoot me a e-mail.

How to play - 

1. Search THIS blog and participating blogs for hidden eggs like this one.

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2. Go to the Easter Egg Hunt Rafflecopter form below and input the URL of the exact page/post you found the above image on.

3. You may input 15 unique URLs into the Rafflecopter per day to increase your odds of winning the ultimate prize! 

There is a total of 5 eggs on my blog. 3 are found within the pages above, and 2 require a special hint.

Hint #1:
 Looking for something? Search my blog for: Firefly by Belle Whittington (hint: Ooo, pretty cover)

Hint #2: Scroll WAYYYYY Down. 

Open Internationally!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Wide Giveaway.
Open Internationally!
To Enter please use the rafflecopter form below.


Enjoyed this post? Then before you leave follow my blog. ;) I HEART my readers! NOM NOM!

Friday, March 22, 2013

Book Trailer Reveal! The Fallen Stars by Stephanie Keyes + Giveaway!


Series: The Star Child #2
Publication date:  April 12th 2013
by Inkspell Publishing 
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Kellen St. James was just your average seventeen-year-old prodigy, until he eighty-sixed the Lord of Faerie and proposed to the Celtic Goddess, Calienta. But then everything in Kellen’s life gets turned upside-down when he and Cali end up on the run from a seriously irritated group of faeries. The worst part? They have zero idea why they’re being hunted.

Suddenly, Kellen is stuck in the middle of another prophecy that foresees him turning away from Calienta and embracing the dark. He’ll be forced to take sides in a struggle to claim his birthright, while discovering secrets about his father’s past. Meanwhile, his passion for Cali grows stronger, even as the prophecy threatens to tear them apart.

In the end, will Kellen and Cali survive the fates? When the ultimate power is within reach, which side will he choose?


The Trailer
Today's trailer is for Stephanie Keye's second book, The Fallen Stars. Have a look!




What DO you guys think of the book trailer? Does The Fallen Stars sound like something you'd want to read?

There is a great giveaway happening for this event! Check out what you can win.

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About The Author: Stephanie Keyes

Find Stephanie @ Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Stephanie Keyes has been addicted to Fantasy since she discovered T.H. White as a child and started drumming up incredible journeys in her head. Today, she's still doing the same thing, except now she gets to share those ideas with readers!

When she's not writing, Stephanie is also a graphic designer, international speaker, teacher, musician, avid reader, and Mom to two little boys who constantly keep her on her toes. In addition, she's best friend to her incredible husband of eleven years.

Mrs. Keyes holds an undergraduate degree in Business and Management Information Systems from Robert Morris University and a M.Ed. from Duquesne University. She is a member of the Society For Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), as well as a featured author in the global group of writers, Love a Happy Ending.com.

Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child (September 2012) and The Fallen Stars (April 2013), both released by Inkspell Publishing. She is currently hard at work on the third book in the trilogy, The Star Catcher.


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Blog Tour: The Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan Excerpt + Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on The Boys of Summer blog tour hosted by YA Bound.  Click HERE to check out the full blog tour schedule!



The Boys of Summer (Summer #1)
Release Date: December 17th, 2012
294 pages



It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘OnslowBoys’. Every time they swaggered in the front doorof the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins. To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets. How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget. 
It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references, and occasional course language.

Buy Links:
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“Don’t you dare.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him backwards. His eyes darted to where my hand rested on him. I didn’t move my hand, I couldn’t physically bring myself to break the contact; all of a sudden there were no smiles, no jokes, just him and me and our space on the couch. I could only hear the music and be aware of the heat of his skin and the rapid rise and fall of my chest in this moment.

The only thing that snapped me out of my daze was Toby’s words which seemed low and raspy.

“Is Adam your boyfriend?” His gaze flicked over my face as he waited for my answer. My mouth gaped open; I couldn’t hide the fact I was dumbfounded by the question.

I blinked quickly and took my hand from his arm. I struggled to construct a legible sentence.
“Oh – um, no, we’re just friends, it’s not like that.”

His stony expression didn’t falter, didn’t reveal any kind of emotion. He was so hard to read, and I wanted to read him so badly. He gave a small nod and handed me the CD cover.

“Better go and make sure these guys aren’t cheating.” And without another word, he got up and headed towards the pool table.



 Add An Endless Summer (Summer #2) Goodreads: 




About the Author: C.J Duggan

Find C.J Duggan @


C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia. The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.


Enter below to win one of 5 e-book copies of The Boys of Summer. Open Internationally!

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